Playing In A League Of Their Own
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Del.icio.usNothing is more devastating for a parent than to have to tell their child they can’t do something. That’s the dilemma many parents face when their children are deemed too big to participate in Pop Warner or other youth divisions of football.
“You either have to be in high school or Pop Warner, because there wasn’t anything else for the kids,” said Dorothea Pale, Windward resident and mother of 11-year-old Isaia Pale Jr.“And if you try to join Pop Warner or Midgets, they have weight limits. Our children were left behind and told they needed to go on diets.How are you going to put an 11-year-old on a diet?”
This problem caught the attention of Rockwell Fukino, who decided to start another youth football league, HALOS (Hawaii Athletic League of Scholars), that would focus on positive coaching and also allow anyone to play regardless of weight.
The league began in 2006 in East Oahu and now stretches to all areas of the island, including the Windward side. Just last month, the Windward Warriors started its 2008 season against such teams such as the East Oahu Islanders, Kapolei Storm,Waikele Wildcats, Honolulu Mo’i, North Shore, Kalihi Gladiators, Aiea and Mililani.
Besides the no-weight limit,good sportsmanship, positive coaching and academics are priority when it comes to playing. If a participant does not maintain a 2.0 grade-point average or better, he does not play. And there’s no such thing as parents screaming negative remarks when their child misses a catch, because the HALOS philosophy encourages respect from players, coaches and parents. Cheering is encouraged.
“My son lost a lot of weight playing, and his school work is better,” said Pale.“It gives kids a chance to play football and it’s something really positive. It’s a very good experience because the kids just want to play and have fun.”
HALOS accepts children ages 9 to 14. The three league divisions are ages 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14. For more information on the upcoming season, visit http://www.myhalos.com or call 384-4020.
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